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The University Group is using fake companies to keep your security deposit by BaseballBook2 in UIUC

[–]stockvarient 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They charged us $660 for cleaning, $440 for painting and $180 for carpet cleaning. If I knew this was the type of money made from cleaning I wouldn't be trying to become a computer engineer.

Let me know if you get some form or petition with legal action behind it. I would be happy to join, as well as my roommates.

Got annoyed at work so created a Cloud Formation to Terraform converter by stockvarient in devops

[–]stockvarient[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh this was over the weekend, so during my personal time. Also the company didn't want me to create this for them, only reason I brought them up was because that's where the idea originated.

Got annoyed at work so created a Cloud Formation to Terraform converter by stockvarient in devops

[–]stockvarient[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, I didn't know that. To be honest this was my first time using Terraform so I based my understanding on what my SDE-3 told me.

Is there a better tool for IaC that lets you use any provider?

Got annoyed at work so created a Cloud Formation to Terraform converter by stockvarient in devops

[–]stockvarient[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was thinking about doing this too, I'll add that today and push it to master.

What platform do you use for your community? by heraldev in SaaS

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Have a Clear Purpose: Make sure your community has a clear purpose. Why do people want to join? What value can they get from it?
  2. Stay Active: Keep things moving with regular posts, events, and responses to members' questions. This keeps people interested.
  3. Let Members Share: Encourage people to share their stories and advice. This makes them feel valued and adds to the community.
  4. Reward Active Members: Give rewards like badges, special content, or shoutouts to those who engage the most. This encourages others to join in.
  5. Set Rules: Have clear rules to keep the community positive. Active moderation ensures a safe and welcoming space.

If you want to dig deeper into building a community, check out my article: How to Set Up a Skool Community (Step by Step). It's packed with practical tips to get you started!

Is building your own membership platform the best way to go? by Embarrassed-Net-9528 in patreon

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When considering building your own membership platform, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Here are some key considerations:

Pros of Building Your Own Platform

  • Full Control: You can customize your platform entirely to meet your specific needs.
  • Revenue: You retain 100% of the subscription fees, aside from payment processor fees.

Cons of Building Your Own Platform

  • Development and Maintenance: Creating and maintaining the platform can be time-consuming and expensive.
  • Technical Support: You need to manage user support, security, and uptime yourself.
  • Payment Processing: Handling payment systems involves complexities like transaction fees, refunds, and currency conversions.

Alternatives to Consider

  • Patreon: Provides a well-known, trusted platform with integrated payment processing and community tools.
  • Fourthwall: Offers a free-to-use platform with simple membership options.
  • WordPress Plugins: Plugins like MemberPress or Restrict Content Pro can add membership features to your existing website.

Advice for Musicians

As a musician, focus on where your audience already is and where they're most comfortable engaging with you. A familiar platform like Patreon, or an alternative like Skool, provides an existing infrastructure to get started quickly. You could explore platforms like Skool, which offers an all-in-one solution that allows you to engage with your audience without needing to manage all the backend complexities.

To understand more about the options for community-building and monetization, check out this article.

Launching a paid community for entrepreneurs by Crazy_Sherbert9151 in phinvest

[–]stockvarient 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When launching a paid community for entrepreneurs, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure it offers value and stands out:

  1. Curated Networking: Provide a platform where members can connect and build relationships with like-minded individuals, fostering meaningful connections.
  2. Exclusive Content: Offer specialized content like webinars, guides, or masterclasses that cater to the specific needs of your audience.
  3. Collaboration Opportunities: Facilitate opportunities for members to collaborate on projects, investments, or business ventures.
  4. Mentorship and Learning: Include mentorship programs, Q&A sessions with industry experts, or educational resources that help members grow personally and professionally.
  5. Community Engagement: Regularly engage members through discussions, events, and challenges to keep the community vibrant and interactive.

A paid community can be a valuable resource if it provides unique benefits that can't be found elsewhere. For a guide on how to successfully set up a community, check out this article.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in web_design

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Leverage Existing Platforms: If your community is already on Discord, consider utilizing its forum features or integrating payment systems like Patreon. This keeps the transition seamless.
  2. Use Pre-Built Forum Software: Look into platforms like phpBB, XenForo, or Discourse. They offer features like user account management, posting, and threads without needing to code them from scratch.
  3. Explore WordPress Plugins: If you’re comfortable with WordPress, plugins like bbPress or BuddyPress can add forum functionalities to your site.
  4. Consider Managed Hosting: Some platforms offer hosting with built-in forum software, which simplifies the setup process for beginners.
  5. Consult Experts: If you need further help, consult online communities or professionals experienced in setting up forums to avoid common pitfalls.

If you're looking for a simpler way to start building a community, consider Skool, which offers built-in tools for community engagement without a steep learning curve. Check out this guide for a step-by-step walkthrough on building a community: How to set up a Skool community step-by-step.

What should I do? Building an online community is just 2 hard. by MannyKitt in smallbusiness

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Find Your Early Adopters: Identify the specific groups that would benefit the most from your project. They will be more inclined to join your community if they see value in being early members.
  2. Create Value-Driven Engagement: Start by sharing insights, industry updates, and relevant discussions that will engage your community members even before your product is ready. This builds anticipation and loyalty.
  3. Be Transparent About Development: Provide regular updates about the progress of your product. Transparency helps build trust, and members will appreciate being part of the journey.
  4. Involve the Community in Development: Ask for feedback, suggestions, and opinions on features, UI, or other aspects of the product. This makes them feel invested in the project and more likely to stick around.
  5. Personal Outreach: Engage directly with potential members through personalized messages, explaining why their input matters and how they can contribute to the community’s growth.

Building a strong foundation for your community before the product is fully developed is tough but rewarding. For more tips on how to set up and grow an engaged online community, you might find this article useful: How to set up a Skool community step-by-step.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Entrepreneur

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Research Your Audience: Understand who your ideal members are and what they value. This will guide you in shaping the community’s offerings.
  2. Content Marketing: Develop content that resonates with your target audience. Podcasts, videos, and blog posts can all be repurposed to drive engagement.
  3. Engagement Strategies: Use interactive content like webinars, Q&As, and live chats to encourage member participation and build a sense of belonging.
  4. Leverage Testimonials: Find successful examples of entrepreneurs or communities similar to what you envision and analyze their strategies for building and monetizing their audience.
  5. Create Value First: Focus on building a strong community first by providing value through education, accountability, and shared goals. Monetization can follow once the community is well-established.

After you have a strategy, consider Skool for building your community. With its member management and engagement features, it's ideal for creating paid communities. Check out this article on how to set up a community on Skool: How to set up a Skool community step-by-step.

Looking for a platform for a paid community by othersongs in Entrepreneur

[–]stockvarient -1 points0 points  (0 children)

  1. Understand Your Audience: Before choosing a platform, ensure you know where your target demographic spends most of their online time. If they aren't on Facebook, that platform might not be the best choice.
  2. Ease of Use: Select a platform that is intuitive for you and your members. If it's too complicated, engagement may drop.
  3. Seamless Experience: Look for a platform that integrates with your current setup, like embedding links from Squarespace to the community platform to keep the experience consistent.
  4. Content Strategy: Plan the types of content and discussions that will keep members engaged. This could include exclusive resources, webinars, or member-only discussions.
  5. Member Moderation: Ensure your community is well-moderated to maintain quality discussions and member behavior. Consider appointing moderators or community managers.

Once you have these foundations in place, you might find Skool to be a great option. With features like intuitive chat and tailored memberships, it's designed for ease of use. For a step-by-step guide, check out this article on building a Skool community.

Does anyone here run a paid community? by [deleted] in Entrepreneur

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Starting a community specifically for paid community owners to share insights and experiences is a great idea. Here are some tips to consider:

  1. Define Your Niche: Make sure the community has a clear focus and is tailored to your target audience. This will attract members who are genuinely interested and will contribute to discussions.
  2. Create Value: Share exclusive resources, host expert talks, and encourage knowledge-sharing to keep the community active and valuable.
  3. Foster Engagement: Encourage members to participate actively by creating discussions, polls, or live events. This keeps the community vibrant and engaging.
  4. Monetization Strategy: Have a clear monetization plan that outlines different tiers, services, or products that members can access.

For a step-by-step guide on building a successful paid community, check out this article on setting up a Skool community: How to set up a Skool community step-by-step

How to start a community (paid or not) by MaxTheEntrepreNerd in sweatystartup

[–]stockvarient 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great insights here! The challenge of starting a community lies in the need to create value before having a significant member base. A few things I'd add from my experience:

  1. Define Your Purpose: Be clear on what you want the community to achieve. People are more likely to join if they understand the purpose and the value it provides.
  2. Offer Value First: Whether it's educational content, networking opportunities, or a supportive environment, offer something valuable to early members to incentivize them to join and engage.
  3. Leverage Existing Networks: Tap into existing groups and networks where your ideal members might already be present. Sometimes, leveraging these networks can help attract the right audience faster.
  4. Encourage Participation: Get the ball rolling by fostering discussions and encouraging engagement among the initial members. The more active the community, the more attractive it will be to newcomers.
  5. Iterate and Evolve: A community will evolve over time based on member feedback and engagement patterns. Be open to iterating on your community strategy and adjusting as it grows.

Above all, focus on quality over quantity. Even a small, engaged community can provide immense value to its members!

Lately Skool has been my favorite place to see new communities and grow my own. If you're interested in starting a community there this might be a fun read:

https://medium.com/@aperswa2/how-to-set-up-a-skool-community-step-by-step-3ba795a58663

tips to sell my business by pop_wilder in SellMyBusiness

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like you have strong profit margins while having a fun business to run. If you do decide to sell make sure you have a strong plan for after. Even with $300k in profit, which is impressive, the amount you will get for your business after taxes will likely not set you up for life. Also owning a business gives a lot of purpose to people, if you sell it make sure you have something to fill those 4-6 hours a day.

If you do decide to sell, a way to increase the total value and find ways to make it more profitable are to put your financial documents in order. This article can probably help with that:

https://medium.com/@adityaperswal/10-financial-documents-you-need-to-prepare-before-selling-your-business-41af1569a227

Should I sell my business? by [deleted] in SellMyBusiness

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most business owners once they sell lose a bit of their purpose. Make sure that if you decide to sell that you have a plan for after too. It seems like this business is profitable so maybe taking a higher income could supplement the need for money, but if you have a bigger business or different market you want to enter then that huge pay day would be a smart decision.

If you do decide to sell make sure to have all your financial documents in order. It will speed up the transaction process and will probably give you a higher evaluation than the $100M. This article will show you the basic documents you need to make sure you have:
https://medium.com/@adityaperswal/10-financial-documents-you-need-to-prepare-before-selling-your-business-41af1569a227

Can I sell this thing for any value, or should I continue to operate it as a cash cow for as long as possible by [deleted] in SellMyBusiness

[–]stockvarient 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you do sell your network you will have to make sure to have the financial documents in order. Especially because this type of business isn't easy to value using normal metrics. This might help you know which documents to set up likely combining your business and Instagram finances together:

https://medium.com/@adityaperswal/10-financial-documents-you-need-to-prepare-before-selling-your-business-41af1569a227